ULSTER SPRING, Trelawny — Member of Parliament (MP) for Trelawny Southern Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert is patting herself on the back for what, she says, has been her ability to keep all the promises she made to her constituents when she was first elected.

“It’s a real heart-warming moment for me because some 16-17 years ago when I entered representational politics and sought to represent the people of south Trelawny, I pledged in a manifesto… this document that was printed 17 years ago… to improve the existing sporting facilities and to establish a fire service here in south Trelawny,” the four-term MP said.

She was speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony for a fire station in Ulster Spring on Friday, June 17.

She explained that the manifesto also included rehabilitation of the road network in the constituency, help with land titling and educational initiatives. So far, she said, she has delivered on all of those commitments.

“I am a very proud Member of Parliament this morning because I can truly say, after 17 years, I have completed all my commitments to the constituency of south Trelawny with the ground-breaking of the fire station this morning,” she told those gathered.

However, despite her assertions that she has kept all her promises, the MP conceded that more can be done on the roads in her constituency.

“I know the Stettin roads are in a bad way but I want to remind this community, like every other community in Jamaica, that every dollar that the Government spends has to be done on strict guidelines. If not, the Government is criticised for all sorts of things. The work is in process and yes, it takes time, but that is how we have to remain accountable for the money that is spent on anything we do,” she said.

Some of the work that the MP has done over the years includes a skills programme for residents. She has also put in place sporting facilities, one of which is adjacent to the new fire station that is to be built. During the ground-breaking ceremony she encouraged firefighters to utilise the facility for their physical fitness programmes.

The fire station, on which work is scheduled to begin later this year, is expected to provide more than 27 communities in the south of the parish with not only fire suppression services, but also an emergency medical services as well.

The facility, which is made from retrofitted shipping containers, will house two units, a pumper and an ambulance, and will provide accommodations for 45 members of staff. It will feature gender-specific bathrooms and dormitories, among other amenities expected in a modern fire station.

Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Stewart Beckford was among those who attended the ceremony.

“This ground-breaking ceremony today, it takes us one step closer to fulfil a long-held vision… for an additional station to be constructed in the parish to match the increased risk presented due to both planned and unplanned developments,” he said.

He cited growth in the parish’s population, more homes being built, and a proliferation of new hotels across the coastal areas of the parish as factors that have increased the risk levels.

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie urged residents to take care of the fire station once it is built.

“This is an investment for Ulster Spring and the wider communities. Protect it, it is your investment. Treat it like you would treat your own house. This is going … to uplift Ulster Spring,” he predicted.